CD Baby

Tony Palmer · Post by **Tony Palmer** » 14 Oct 2008 12:51 pm

Like to hear from people who have experience with CD baby for selling their band CD's.
First of all, did you have any problem with cover songs, as far as release permission?
And secondly, did it work?!

Steinar Gregertsen · Post by **Steinar Gregertsen** » 14 Oct 2008 2:26 pm

I have nothing but positive things to say about CD Baby, they've sold my CD for two and a half years and I have absolutely no complaints.

CD Baby does not have anything to do with permission to use cover songs, that's your responsibility and should be sorted out before offering the CD for sale on CD Baby (or anywhere else). I believe the Harry Fox Agency is the proper place to deal with that in the US.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 14 Oct 2008 2:50 pm

I've been delighted with CDBaby. All my CDs are on it, and all of them are covers. I have sold quite a lot of CDs through them. More Beats Walkin' (with vocals) than steel instrumental CDs, FWIW.

Edward Meisse · Post by **Edward Meisse** » 16 Oct 2008 8:05 am

I've read through all of their info. I've also posted a thread like this one somewhere that got some excellent and very helpful responses. I did hear from one person (who I won't name) that has had a bad experience that may or may not have originated at CD Baby. But they have not exactly been able to pin it down. Given the glowing recommendations from other quarters, the problem likely originated elsewhere. But like I said, hard information on the situation has so far not surfaced. I'll let them tell their own story if they are so inclined. And perhaps more info has surfaced in the meantime.
I do intend to use CD Baby....if I can ever get my !@#$%&* recording completed....... That's the hard part.

David Doggett · Post by **David Doggett** » 16 Oct 2008 2:15 pm

One of my bands is currently using CD Baby, and we have had no problems.

Bob Blair · Post by **Bob Blair** » 16 Oct 2008 2:40 pm

The singer I work for, Andrea House, has been using CDBaby for awhile. All positive, is what i've been hearing.

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 17 Oct 2008 10:25 am

CD Baby sells my latest solo CD Stronger Man, and has set it up on Itunes. The money it makes on Itunes is channeled back through CD baby and into my paypal account. Works great! If I was actively promoting my solo career, it would be even better!

Terry VunCannon · Post by **Terry VunCannon** » 17 Oct 2008 12:12 pm

I am very happy with CD Baby also...Ron Hutchens & I have our CD for sale with them & are very happy with their service....Terry V.

http://www.myspace.com/hutchensvuncannon

Tony Palmer · Post by **Tony Palmer** » 20 Oct 2008 6:45 am

Thanks for the replies.
So what's involved in getting permission to record covers?
Is it called a mechanical license?

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 20 Oct 2008 7:22 am

Yes. In most cases you can obtain the license online, while you wait, through the Harry Fox Agency (www.songfile.com). After you've done that, which gives you the right to distribute your cover tune recordings, there's nothing more to do whether you want to distribute them through CD Baby or anyone else. Just do the hairy fox thing. (Now, if you want to do digital downloads of the covers, that's another matter, more complicated; I don't do digital downloads because of the hassle of dealing with that.)

Howard Kalish · Post by **Howard Kalish** » 22 Oct 2008 12:06 pm

I too have good things to say about CD Baby. Their website is easy to maintain, they get your $ money to you with no issues, and they have a huge variety of music available. I wish I had time to really use all the promo features they offer.